More than half of German companies are confident in seeing an upturn in business travel before the end of the year it has been reported in the results of a poll of members of the Association of German Travel management (VDR) for trade show ITB. The poll found that a quarter of those questioned expect to see a recovery in business travel activity at the start of next year. Only ten per cent of companies said they were concerned that there would not be a recovery in business travel.

Almost 60% of VDR member companies are still paying particular attention to costs and are looking at cheaper travel options. Only 11% of these companies are cutting out all travel which is not deemed absolutely necessary, compared with twice as many in October 2009.

In order to cut down on travel, companies are making more use of web, video and telephone conferencing. One third of the VDR member companies that were questioned now use this technology instead of business travel. A further 20% are following this trend in order to improve internal communication.

Dr Martin Buck, director of the competence centre travel & logistics and show organiser Messe Berlin, said: “The trend that has been revealed by the latest snap poll by the VDR is giving the industry reasons for cautious optimism. This is good news for ITB Berlin.”